California 2025-2026 Regular Session

California Senate Bill SB462 Compare Versions

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1-Amended IN Senate April 10, 2025 Amended IN Senate March 27, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 462Introduced by Senator Cortese(Principal coauthor: Senator Laird)(Coauthor: Senator Hurtado)(Coauthor: Assembly Member Kalra)February 19, 2025 An act to amend Section 10230 of the Public Resources Code, relating to agricultural land, and making an appropriation therefor.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 462, as amended, Cortese. California Farmland Conservancy Program: conservation easements: funding.Existing law establishes the California Farmland Conservancy Program in the Department of Conservation and authorizes the program to offer financial assistance, including grants or contracts, for projects and activities on agricultural lands that support agricultural conservation and sustainable land management. Existing law creates the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund and requires moneys in the fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, to be used for purposes of the program. Notwithstanding that provision, existing law continuously appropriates moneys in the fund from federal grants and gifts and donations to the department for purposes of the program.This bill would require the Controller to transfer $20,000,000 on July 1 of each fiscal year, commencing with the 202526 fiscal year, from the General Fund to the California Farmland Conservancy Program Funding Account, which the bill would create within the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund. The bill would continuously appropriate moneys in the account to the department for expenditure as provided. The bill would require that the funding only be awarded for agricultural conservation easements on agricultural land, as defined.Digest Key Vote: 2/3 Appropriation: YES Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The State of California loses 40,000 acres of agricultural land every year to development.(b) The benefits of conserving farmland include preserving ecosystems, preserving wildlife habitat, maintaining a significant sector of Californias economy, protecting a major source of food production for the world, sequestering carbon, and reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases. For areas of the same size, farmland emits 70 times fewer greenhouse gases than urban areas.(c) The State of California state aspires to conserve 30 percent of Californias its lands and coastal waters by 2030. This goal, known as 30x30, is an international movement to combat climate change and protect biodiversity.(d) Pathways to 30x30 California, a plan developed by the Natural Resources Agency to promote nature-based conservation solutions, named voluntary conservation easements as 1 of 10 pathways.(e) Conservation easements promote the preservation of critical ecosystems, such as wetlands, agricultural lands, grasslands, and forests, by providing financial incentives to landowners. Easements bring California closer to its 30x30 goals.(f) Historically available funding for conservation easements has not met the high demand.(g) Local governments throughout California have been taking action to permanently preserve agricultural lands through local land use planning, partnering with land trusts, acquiring agricultural lands, and holding both temporary and permanent conservation easements. Their connections to landowners in their communities are critical to building trust.(h) This work is exemplified by counties, like the County of Santa Clara, that incorporate the preservation of agricultural land into their local planning processes.(i) Efforts by local governments to pursue conservation easements require reliable revenue sources. The voters of the County of Sonoma established the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. They passed and renewed a local tax to fund the purchase of agricultural and open-space easements.(j) It is imperative that the state take action to support local governments in their efforts to preserve agricultural land for the future of Californias environment, economy, food security, and natural landscapes.SEC. 2. Section 10230 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:10230. (a) The California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund is hereby created.(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the moneys in the fund shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, be used for the purposes of the program.(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), moneys may be deposited into the fund from federal grants, and gifts and donations, including interest earned, that are designated and required by the donor to be used exclusively for the purposes of the program, and notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, those moneys are hereby continuously appropriated to the department for expenditure for the purposes of the program.(3) (A) The Controller shall transfer the sum of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) on July 1 of each fiscal year, commencing with the 202526 fiscal year, from the General Fund to the California Farmland Conservancy Program Funding Account, which is hereby created within the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code and paragraph (1), moneys in the account are hereby continuously appropriated without regard to fiscal year to the department for expenditure as described in this paragraph and consistent with this division.(B) This funding shall only be awarded for agricultural conservation easements on agricultural land as defined in Section 10213, except for grazing land.(C) For purposes of this paragraph, agricultural conservation easement means any easement as defined in Section 10211.
1+Amended IN Senate March 27, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 462Introduced by Senator Cortese(Coauthor: Senator Hurtado)(Coauthor: Assembly Member Kalra)February 19, 2025 An act to amend Section 10230 of the Public Resources Code, relating to agricultural land, and making an appropriation therefor.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 462, as amended, Cortese. California Farmland Conservancy Program: conservation easements: funding.Existing law establishes the California Farmland Conservancy Program in the Department of Conservation and authorizes the program to offer financial assistance, including grants or contracts, for projects and activities on agricultural lands that support agricultural conservation and sustainable land management. Existing law creates the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund and requires moneys in the fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, to be used for purposes of the program. Notwithstanding that provision, existing law continuously appropriates moneys in the fund from federal grants and gifts and donations to the department for purposes of the program.This bill would require the Controller to transfer $20,000,000 on July 1 of each fiscal year, commencing with the 202526 fiscal year, from the General Fund to the California Farmland Conservancy Program Funding Account, which the bill would create within the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund. The bill would continuously appropriate moneys in the account to the department to allocate to entities that meet specified criteria, thereby making an appropriation, and would require those entities to use the moneys solely to acquire conservation easements that result in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands. for expenditure as provided. The bill would require that the funding only be awarded for agricultural conservation easements on agricultural land, as defined.Digest Key Vote: 2/3 Appropriation: YES Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The State of California loses 40,000 acres of agricultural land every year to development.(b) The benefits of conserving farmland include preserving ecosystems, preserving wildlife habitat, maintaining a significant sector of Californias economy, protecting a major source of food production for the world, sequestering carbon, and reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases. For areas of the same size, farmland emits 70 times less fewer greenhouse gases than urban areas.(c) The State of California aspires to conserve 30 percent of Californias lands and coastal waters by 2030. This goal, known as 30x30, is an international movement to combat climate change and protect biodiversity.(d) Pathways to 30x30 California, a plan developed by the Natural Resources Agency to promote nature-based conservation solutions, named voluntary conservation easements as 1 of 10 pathways.(e) Conservation easements promote the preservation of critical ecosystems, such as wetlands, agricultural lands, grasslands, and forests, by providing financial incentives to landowners. Easements bring California closer to its 30x30 goals.(f) Historically available funding for conservation easements has not met the high demand.(g) Local governments throughout California have been taking action to permanently preserve agricultural lands through local land use planning, partnering with land trusts, acquiring agricultural lands, and holding both temporary and permanent conservation easements. Their connections to landowners in their communities are critical to building trust.(h) This work is exemplified by counties, like the County of Santa Clara, that incorporate the preservation of agricultural land into their local planning processes.(i) Efforts by local governments to pursue conservation easements require reliable revenue sources. The voters of the County of Sonoma established the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. They passed and renewed a local tax to fund the purchase of agricultural and open-space easements.(j) It is imperative that the state take action to support local governments in their efforts to preserve agricultural land for the future of Californias environment, economy, food security, and natural landscapes.SEC. 2. Section 10230 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:10230. (a) The California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund is hereby created.(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the moneys in the fund shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, be used for the purposes of the program.(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), moneys may be deposited into the fund from federal grants, and gifts and donations, including interest earned, that are designated and required by the donor to be used exclusively for the purposes of the program, and notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, those moneys are hereby continuously appropriated to the department for expenditure for the purposes of the program.(3) (A) The Controller shall transfer the sum of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) on July 1 of each fiscal year, commencing with the 202526 fiscal year, from the General Fund to the California Farmland Conservancy Program Funding Account, which is hereby created within the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code and paragraph (1), moneys in the account are hereby continuously appropriated without regard to fiscal year to the department for expenditure for the purposes as described in this paragraph and consistent with this division.(B)The department shall allocate the moneys appropriated pursuant to subparagraph (A) to entities that meet at least two of the following criteria:(i)The entity is a city or city and county that has a population of at least 250,000, a county that has a population of at least 1,500,000, or a special district, land trust, nonprofit organization, or tribe that is within, or has a jurisdictional overlap with, such a city or county.(ii)The entity is a city or county that has developed an agricultural land component of the citys or countys open-space element or a separate agricultural land element pursuant to Section 65565 of the Government Code, or is a special district, land trust, nonprofit organization, or tribe that is within, or has a jurisdictional overlap with, such a city or county.(iii)The entity is a county that has at least three hundred fifty million dollars ($350,000,000) in gross value of agricultural production, or is a city, special district, land trust, nonprofit organization, or tribe that is within, or has a jurisdictional overlap with, such a county.(iv)The entity intends to use the moneys to acquire a conservation easement that results in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands that are determined by the Department of Fish and Wildlife to be irreplaceable and essential corridors for wildlife.(v)The entity intends to use the moneys to acquire a conservation easement that results in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands that achieve any of the following cobenefits:(I)Support of the establishment, restoration, or enhancement of wildlife crossings, including overpasses, underpasses, and corridors, to ensure connectivity for wildlife while preserving agricultural operations.(II)Inclusion of practices that enhance carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change impacts.(III)Integration of water conservation systems, including advanced irrigation methods, rainwater harvesting, or constructed wetlands for water reuse and storage.(C)The department may, in its discretion, first allocate the moneys to entities that meet three or more of the criteria described in subparagraph (B).(D)An entity that is allocated moneys pursuant to this paragraph shall use the moneys solely to acquire a conservation easement that results in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands.(c) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1)Agricultural land means land that is flat and produces crops.(2)Tribe means an entity described in subdivision (c) of Section 815.3 of the Civil Code.(B) This funding shall only be awarded for agricultural conservation easements on agricultural land as defined in Section 10213, except for grazing land.(C) For purposes of this paragraph, agricultural conservation easement means any easement as defined in Section 10211.
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3- Amended IN Senate April 10, 2025 Amended IN Senate March 27, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 462Introduced by Senator Cortese(Principal coauthor: Senator Laird)(Coauthor: Senator Hurtado)(Coauthor: Assembly Member Kalra)February 19, 2025 An act to amend Section 10230 of the Public Resources Code, relating to agricultural land, and making an appropriation therefor.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 462, as amended, Cortese. California Farmland Conservancy Program: conservation easements: funding.Existing law establishes the California Farmland Conservancy Program in the Department of Conservation and authorizes the program to offer financial assistance, including grants or contracts, for projects and activities on agricultural lands that support agricultural conservation and sustainable land management. Existing law creates the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund and requires moneys in the fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, to be used for purposes of the program. Notwithstanding that provision, existing law continuously appropriates moneys in the fund from federal grants and gifts and donations to the department for purposes of the program.This bill would require the Controller to transfer $20,000,000 on July 1 of each fiscal year, commencing with the 202526 fiscal year, from the General Fund to the California Farmland Conservancy Program Funding Account, which the bill would create within the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund. The bill would continuously appropriate moneys in the account to the department for expenditure as provided. The bill would require that the funding only be awarded for agricultural conservation easements on agricultural land, as defined.Digest Key Vote: 2/3 Appropriation: YES Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
3+ Amended IN Senate March 27, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 462Introduced by Senator Cortese(Coauthor: Senator Hurtado)(Coauthor: Assembly Member Kalra)February 19, 2025 An act to amend Section 10230 of the Public Resources Code, relating to agricultural land, and making an appropriation therefor.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 462, as amended, Cortese. California Farmland Conservancy Program: conservation easements: funding.Existing law establishes the California Farmland Conservancy Program in the Department of Conservation and authorizes the program to offer financial assistance, including grants or contracts, for projects and activities on agricultural lands that support agricultural conservation and sustainable land management. Existing law creates the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund and requires moneys in the fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, to be used for purposes of the program. Notwithstanding that provision, existing law continuously appropriates moneys in the fund from federal grants and gifts and donations to the department for purposes of the program.This bill would require the Controller to transfer $20,000,000 on July 1 of each fiscal year, commencing with the 202526 fiscal year, from the General Fund to the California Farmland Conservancy Program Funding Account, which the bill would create within the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund. The bill would continuously appropriate moneys in the account to the department to allocate to entities that meet specified criteria, thereby making an appropriation, and would require those entities to use the moneys solely to acquire conservation easements that result in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands. for expenditure as provided. The bill would require that the funding only be awarded for agricultural conservation easements on agricultural land, as defined.Digest Key Vote: 2/3 Appropriation: YES Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
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5- Amended IN Senate April 10, 2025 Amended IN Senate March 27, 2025
5+ Amended IN Senate March 27, 2025
66
7-Amended IN Senate April 10, 2025
87 Amended IN Senate March 27, 2025
98
109 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
1110
1211 Senate Bill
1312
1413 No. 462
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16-Introduced by Senator Cortese(Principal coauthor: Senator Laird)(Coauthor: Senator Hurtado)(Coauthor: Assembly Member Kalra)February 19, 2025
15+Introduced by Senator Cortese(Coauthor: Senator Hurtado)(Coauthor: Assembly Member Kalra)February 19, 2025
1716
18-Introduced by Senator Cortese(Principal coauthor: Senator Laird)(Coauthor: Senator Hurtado)(Coauthor: Assembly Member Kalra)
17+Introduced by Senator Cortese(Coauthor: Senator Hurtado)(Coauthor: Assembly Member Kalra)
1918 February 19, 2025
2019
2120 An act to amend Section 10230 of the Public Resources Code, relating to agricultural land, and making an appropriation therefor.
2221
2322 LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
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2524 ## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
2625
2726 SB 462, as amended, Cortese. California Farmland Conservancy Program: conservation easements: funding.
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29-Existing law establishes the California Farmland Conservancy Program in the Department of Conservation and authorizes the program to offer financial assistance, including grants or contracts, for projects and activities on agricultural lands that support agricultural conservation and sustainable land management. Existing law creates the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund and requires moneys in the fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, to be used for purposes of the program. Notwithstanding that provision, existing law continuously appropriates moneys in the fund from federal grants and gifts and donations to the department for purposes of the program.This bill would require the Controller to transfer $20,000,000 on July 1 of each fiscal year, commencing with the 202526 fiscal year, from the General Fund to the California Farmland Conservancy Program Funding Account, which the bill would create within the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund. The bill would continuously appropriate moneys in the account to the department for expenditure as provided. The bill would require that the funding only be awarded for agricultural conservation easements on agricultural land, as defined.
28+Existing law establishes the California Farmland Conservancy Program in the Department of Conservation and authorizes the program to offer financial assistance, including grants or contracts, for projects and activities on agricultural lands that support agricultural conservation and sustainable land management. Existing law creates the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund and requires moneys in the fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, to be used for purposes of the program. Notwithstanding that provision, existing law continuously appropriates moneys in the fund from federal grants and gifts and donations to the department for purposes of the program.This bill would require the Controller to transfer $20,000,000 on July 1 of each fiscal year, commencing with the 202526 fiscal year, from the General Fund to the California Farmland Conservancy Program Funding Account, which the bill would create within the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund. The bill would continuously appropriate moneys in the account to the department to allocate to entities that meet specified criteria, thereby making an appropriation, and would require those entities to use the moneys solely to acquire conservation easements that result in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands. for expenditure as provided. The bill would require that the funding only be awarded for agricultural conservation easements on agricultural land, as defined.
3029
3130 Existing law establishes the California Farmland Conservancy Program in the Department of Conservation and authorizes the program to offer financial assistance, including grants or contracts, for projects and activities on agricultural lands that support agricultural conservation and sustainable land management. Existing law creates the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund and requires moneys in the fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, to be used for purposes of the program. Notwithstanding that provision, existing law continuously appropriates moneys in the fund from federal grants and gifts and donations to the department for purposes of the program.
3231
33-This bill would require the Controller to transfer $20,000,000 on July 1 of each fiscal year, commencing with the 202526 fiscal year, from the General Fund to the California Farmland Conservancy Program Funding Account, which the bill would create within the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund. The bill would continuously appropriate moneys in the account to the department for expenditure as provided. The bill would require that the funding only be awarded for agricultural conservation easements on agricultural land, as defined.
32+This bill would require the Controller to transfer $20,000,000 on July 1 of each fiscal year, commencing with the 202526 fiscal year, from the General Fund to the California Farmland Conservancy Program Funding Account, which the bill would create within the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund. The bill would continuously appropriate moneys in the account to the department to allocate to entities that meet specified criteria, thereby making an appropriation, and would require those entities to use the moneys solely to acquire conservation easements that result in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands. for expenditure as provided. The bill would require that the funding only be awarded for agricultural conservation easements on agricultural land, as defined.
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3534 ## Digest Key
3635
3736 ## Bill Text
3837
39-The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The State of California loses 40,000 acres of agricultural land every year to development.(b) The benefits of conserving farmland include preserving ecosystems, preserving wildlife habitat, maintaining a significant sector of Californias economy, protecting a major source of food production for the world, sequestering carbon, and reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases. For areas of the same size, farmland emits 70 times fewer greenhouse gases than urban areas.(c) The State of California state aspires to conserve 30 percent of Californias its lands and coastal waters by 2030. This goal, known as 30x30, is an international movement to combat climate change and protect biodiversity.(d) Pathways to 30x30 California, a plan developed by the Natural Resources Agency to promote nature-based conservation solutions, named voluntary conservation easements as 1 of 10 pathways.(e) Conservation easements promote the preservation of critical ecosystems, such as wetlands, agricultural lands, grasslands, and forests, by providing financial incentives to landowners. Easements bring California closer to its 30x30 goals.(f) Historically available funding for conservation easements has not met the high demand.(g) Local governments throughout California have been taking action to permanently preserve agricultural lands through local land use planning, partnering with land trusts, acquiring agricultural lands, and holding both temporary and permanent conservation easements. Their connections to landowners in their communities are critical to building trust.(h) This work is exemplified by counties, like the County of Santa Clara, that incorporate the preservation of agricultural land into their local planning processes.(i) Efforts by local governments to pursue conservation easements require reliable revenue sources. The voters of the County of Sonoma established the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. They passed and renewed a local tax to fund the purchase of agricultural and open-space easements.(j) It is imperative that the state take action to support local governments in their efforts to preserve agricultural land for the future of Californias environment, economy, food security, and natural landscapes.SEC. 2. Section 10230 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:10230. (a) The California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund is hereby created.(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the moneys in the fund shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, be used for the purposes of the program.(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), moneys may be deposited into the fund from federal grants, and gifts and donations, including interest earned, that are designated and required by the donor to be used exclusively for the purposes of the program, and notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, those moneys are hereby continuously appropriated to the department for expenditure for the purposes of the program.(3) (A) The Controller shall transfer the sum of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) on July 1 of each fiscal year, commencing with the 202526 fiscal year, from the General Fund to the California Farmland Conservancy Program Funding Account, which is hereby created within the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code and paragraph (1), moneys in the account are hereby continuously appropriated without regard to fiscal year to the department for expenditure as described in this paragraph and consistent with this division.(B) This funding shall only be awarded for agricultural conservation easements on agricultural land as defined in Section 10213, except for grazing land.(C) For purposes of this paragraph, agricultural conservation easement means any easement as defined in Section 10211.
38+The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The State of California loses 40,000 acres of agricultural land every year to development.(b) The benefits of conserving farmland include preserving ecosystems, preserving wildlife habitat, maintaining a significant sector of Californias economy, protecting a major source of food production for the world, sequestering carbon, and reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases. For areas of the same size, farmland emits 70 times less fewer greenhouse gases than urban areas.(c) The State of California aspires to conserve 30 percent of Californias lands and coastal waters by 2030. This goal, known as 30x30, is an international movement to combat climate change and protect biodiversity.(d) Pathways to 30x30 California, a plan developed by the Natural Resources Agency to promote nature-based conservation solutions, named voluntary conservation easements as 1 of 10 pathways.(e) Conservation easements promote the preservation of critical ecosystems, such as wetlands, agricultural lands, grasslands, and forests, by providing financial incentives to landowners. Easements bring California closer to its 30x30 goals.(f) Historically available funding for conservation easements has not met the high demand.(g) Local governments throughout California have been taking action to permanently preserve agricultural lands through local land use planning, partnering with land trusts, acquiring agricultural lands, and holding both temporary and permanent conservation easements. Their connections to landowners in their communities are critical to building trust.(h) This work is exemplified by counties, like the County of Santa Clara, that incorporate the preservation of agricultural land into their local planning processes.(i) Efforts by local governments to pursue conservation easements require reliable revenue sources. The voters of the County of Sonoma established the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. They passed and renewed a local tax to fund the purchase of agricultural and open-space easements.(j) It is imperative that the state take action to support local governments in their efforts to preserve agricultural land for the future of Californias environment, economy, food security, and natural landscapes.SEC. 2. Section 10230 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:10230. (a) The California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund is hereby created.(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the moneys in the fund shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, be used for the purposes of the program.(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), moneys may be deposited into the fund from federal grants, and gifts and donations, including interest earned, that are designated and required by the donor to be used exclusively for the purposes of the program, and notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, those moneys are hereby continuously appropriated to the department for expenditure for the purposes of the program.(3) (A) The Controller shall transfer the sum of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) on July 1 of each fiscal year, commencing with the 202526 fiscal year, from the General Fund to the California Farmland Conservancy Program Funding Account, which is hereby created within the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code and paragraph (1), moneys in the account are hereby continuously appropriated without regard to fiscal year to the department for expenditure for the purposes as described in this paragraph and consistent with this division.(B)The department shall allocate the moneys appropriated pursuant to subparagraph (A) to entities that meet at least two of the following criteria:(i)The entity is a city or city and county that has a population of at least 250,000, a county that has a population of at least 1,500,000, or a special district, land trust, nonprofit organization, or tribe that is within, or has a jurisdictional overlap with, such a city or county.(ii)The entity is a city or county that has developed an agricultural land component of the citys or countys open-space element or a separate agricultural land element pursuant to Section 65565 of the Government Code, or is a special district, land trust, nonprofit organization, or tribe that is within, or has a jurisdictional overlap with, such a city or county.(iii)The entity is a county that has at least three hundred fifty million dollars ($350,000,000) in gross value of agricultural production, or is a city, special district, land trust, nonprofit organization, or tribe that is within, or has a jurisdictional overlap with, such a county.(iv)The entity intends to use the moneys to acquire a conservation easement that results in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands that are determined by the Department of Fish and Wildlife to be irreplaceable and essential corridors for wildlife.(v)The entity intends to use the moneys to acquire a conservation easement that results in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands that achieve any of the following cobenefits:(I)Support of the establishment, restoration, or enhancement of wildlife crossings, including overpasses, underpasses, and corridors, to ensure connectivity for wildlife while preserving agricultural operations.(II)Inclusion of practices that enhance carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change impacts.(III)Integration of water conservation systems, including advanced irrigation methods, rainwater harvesting, or constructed wetlands for water reuse and storage.(C)The department may, in its discretion, first allocate the moneys to entities that meet three or more of the criteria described in subparagraph (B).(D)An entity that is allocated moneys pursuant to this paragraph shall use the moneys solely to acquire a conservation easement that results in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands.(c) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1)Agricultural land means land that is flat and produces crops.(2)Tribe means an entity described in subdivision (c) of Section 815.3 of the Civil Code.(B) This funding shall only be awarded for agricultural conservation easements on agricultural land as defined in Section 10213, except for grazing land.(C) For purposes of this paragraph, agricultural conservation easement means any easement as defined in Section 10211.
4039
4140 The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
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4342 ## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
4443
45-SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The State of California loses 40,000 acres of agricultural land every year to development.(b) The benefits of conserving farmland include preserving ecosystems, preserving wildlife habitat, maintaining a significant sector of Californias economy, protecting a major source of food production for the world, sequestering carbon, and reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases. For areas of the same size, farmland emits 70 times fewer greenhouse gases than urban areas.(c) The State of California state aspires to conserve 30 percent of Californias its lands and coastal waters by 2030. This goal, known as 30x30, is an international movement to combat climate change and protect biodiversity.(d) Pathways to 30x30 California, a plan developed by the Natural Resources Agency to promote nature-based conservation solutions, named voluntary conservation easements as 1 of 10 pathways.(e) Conservation easements promote the preservation of critical ecosystems, such as wetlands, agricultural lands, grasslands, and forests, by providing financial incentives to landowners. Easements bring California closer to its 30x30 goals.(f) Historically available funding for conservation easements has not met the high demand.(g) Local governments throughout California have been taking action to permanently preserve agricultural lands through local land use planning, partnering with land trusts, acquiring agricultural lands, and holding both temporary and permanent conservation easements. Their connections to landowners in their communities are critical to building trust.(h) This work is exemplified by counties, like the County of Santa Clara, that incorporate the preservation of agricultural land into their local planning processes.(i) Efforts by local governments to pursue conservation easements require reliable revenue sources. The voters of the County of Sonoma established the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. They passed and renewed a local tax to fund the purchase of agricultural and open-space easements.(j) It is imperative that the state take action to support local governments in their efforts to preserve agricultural land for the future of Californias environment, economy, food security, and natural landscapes.
44+SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The State of California loses 40,000 acres of agricultural land every year to development.(b) The benefits of conserving farmland include preserving ecosystems, preserving wildlife habitat, maintaining a significant sector of Californias economy, protecting a major source of food production for the world, sequestering carbon, and reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases. For areas of the same size, farmland emits 70 times less fewer greenhouse gases than urban areas.(c) The State of California aspires to conserve 30 percent of Californias lands and coastal waters by 2030. This goal, known as 30x30, is an international movement to combat climate change and protect biodiversity.(d) Pathways to 30x30 California, a plan developed by the Natural Resources Agency to promote nature-based conservation solutions, named voluntary conservation easements as 1 of 10 pathways.(e) Conservation easements promote the preservation of critical ecosystems, such as wetlands, agricultural lands, grasslands, and forests, by providing financial incentives to landowners. Easements bring California closer to its 30x30 goals.(f) Historically available funding for conservation easements has not met the high demand.(g) Local governments throughout California have been taking action to permanently preserve agricultural lands through local land use planning, partnering with land trusts, acquiring agricultural lands, and holding both temporary and permanent conservation easements. Their connections to landowners in their communities are critical to building trust.(h) This work is exemplified by counties, like the County of Santa Clara, that incorporate the preservation of agricultural land into their local planning processes.(i) Efforts by local governments to pursue conservation easements require reliable revenue sources. The voters of the County of Sonoma established the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. They passed and renewed a local tax to fund the purchase of agricultural and open-space easements.(j) It is imperative that the state take action to support local governments in their efforts to preserve agricultural land for the future of Californias environment, economy, food security, and natural landscapes.
4645
47-SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The State of California loses 40,000 acres of agricultural land every year to development.(b) The benefits of conserving farmland include preserving ecosystems, preserving wildlife habitat, maintaining a significant sector of Californias economy, protecting a major source of food production for the world, sequestering carbon, and reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases. For areas of the same size, farmland emits 70 times fewer greenhouse gases than urban areas.(c) The State of California state aspires to conserve 30 percent of Californias its lands and coastal waters by 2030. This goal, known as 30x30, is an international movement to combat climate change and protect biodiversity.(d) Pathways to 30x30 California, a plan developed by the Natural Resources Agency to promote nature-based conservation solutions, named voluntary conservation easements as 1 of 10 pathways.(e) Conservation easements promote the preservation of critical ecosystems, such as wetlands, agricultural lands, grasslands, and forests, by providing financial incentives to landowners. Easements bring California closer to its 30x30 goals.(f) Historically available funding for conservation easements has not met the high demand.(g) Local governments throughout California have been taking action to permanently preserve agricultural lands through local land use planning, partnering with land trusts, acquiring agricultural lands, and holding both temporary and permanent conservation easements. Their connections to landowners in their communities are critical to building trust.(h) This work is exemplified by counties, like the County of Santa Clara, that incorporate the preservation of agricultural land into their local planning processes.(i) Efforts by local governments to pursue conservation easements require reliable revenue sources. The voters of the County of Sonoma established the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. They passed and renewed a local tax to fund the purchase of agricultural and open-space easements.(j) It is imperative that the state take action to support local governments in their efforts to preserve agricultural land for the future of Californias environment, economy, food security, and natural landscapes.
46+SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The State of California loses 40,000 acres of agricultural land every year to development.(b) The benefits of conserving farmland include preserving ecosystems, preserving wildlife habitat, maintaining a significant sector of Californias economy, protecting a major source of food production for the world, sequestering carbon, and reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases. For areas of the same size, farmland emits 70 times less fewer greenhouse gases than urban areas.(c) The State of California aspires to conserve 30 percent of Californias lands and coastal waters by 2030. This goal, known as 30x30, is an international movement to combat climate change and protect biodiversity.(d) Pathways to 30x30 California, a plan developed by the Natural Resources Agency to promote nature-based conservation solutions, named voluntary conservation easements as 1 of 10 pathways.(e) Conservation easements promote the preservation of critical ecosystems, such as wetlands, agricultural lands, grasslands, and forests, by providing financial incentives to landowners. Easements bring California closer to its 30x30 goals.(f) Historically available funding for conservation easements has not met the high demand.(g) Local governments throughout California have been taking action to permanently preserve agricultural lands through local land use planning, partnering with land trusts, acquiring agricultural lands, and holding both temporary and permanent conservation easements. Their connections to landowners in their communities are critical to building trust.(h) This work is exemplified by counties, like the County of Santa Clara, that incorporate the preservation of agricultural land into their local planning processes.(i) Efforts by local governments to pursue conservation easements require reliable revenue sources. The voters of the County of Sonoma established the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. They passed and renewed a local tax to fund the purchase of agricultural and open-space easements.(j) It is imperative that the state take action to support local governments in their efforts to preserve agricultural land for the future of Californias environment, economy, food security, and natural landscapes.
4847
4948 SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
5049
5150 ### SECTION 1.
5251
5352 (a) The State of California loses 40,000 acres of agricultural land every year to development.
5453
55-(b) The benefits of conserving farmland include preserving ecosystems, preserving wildlife habitat, maintaining a significant sector of Californias economy, protecting a major source of food production for the world, sequestering carbon, and reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases. For areas of the same size, farmland emits 70 times fewer greenhouse gases than urban areas.
54+(b) The benefits of conserving farmland include preserving ecosystems, preserving wildlife habitat, maintaining a significant sector of Californias economy, protecting a major source of food production for the world, sequestering carbon, and reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases. For areas of the same size, farmland emits 70 times less fewer greenhouse gases than urban areas.
5655
57-(c) The State of California state aspires to conserve 30 percent of Californias its lands and coastal waters by 2030. This goal, known as 30x30, is an international movement to combat climate change and protect biodiversity.
56+(c) The State of California aspires to conserve 30 percent of Californias lands and coastal waters by 2030. This goal, known as 30x30, is an international movement to combat climate change and protect biodiversity.
5857
5958 (d) Pathways to 30x30 California, a plan developed by the Natural Resources Agency to promote nature-based conservation solutions, named voluntary conservation easements as 1 of 10 pathways.
6059
6160 (e) Conservation easements promote the preservation of critical ecosystems, such as wetlands, agricultural lands, grasslands, and forests, by providing financial incentives to landowners. Easements bring California closer to its 30x30 goals.
6261
6362 (f) Historically available funding for conservation easements has not met the high demand.
6463
6564 (g) Local governments throughout California have been taking action to permanently preserve agricultural lands through local land use planning, partnering with land trusts, acquiring agricultural lands, and holding both temporary and permanent conservation easements. Their connections to landowners in their communities are critical to building trust.
6665
6766 (h) This work is exemplified by counties, like the County of Santa Clara, that incorporate the preservation of agricultural land into their local planning processes.
6867
6968 (i) Efforts by local governments to pursue conservation easements require reliable revenue sources. The voters of the County of Sonoma established the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. They passed and renewed a local tax to fund the purchase of agricultural and open-space easements.
7069
7170 (j) It is imperative that the state take action to support local governments in their efforts to preserve agricultural land for the future of Californias environment, economy, food security, and natural landscapes.
7271
73-SEC. 2. Section 10230 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:10230. (a) The California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund is hereby created.(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the moneys in the fund shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, be used for the purposes of the program.(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), moneys may be deposited into the fund from federal grants, and gifts and donations, including interest earned, that are designated and required by the donor to be used exclusively for the purposes of the program, and notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, those moneys are hereby continuously appropriated to the department for expenditure for the purposes of the program.(3) (A) The Controller shall transfer the sum of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) on July 1 of each fiscal year, commencing with the 202526 fiscal year, from the General Fund to the California Farmland Conservancy Program Funding Account, which is hereby created within the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code and paragraph (1), moneys in the account are hereby continuously appropriated without regard to fiscal year to the department for expenditure as described in this paragraph and consistent with this division.(B) This funding shall only be awarded for agricultural conservation easements on agricultural land as defined in Section 10213, except for grazing land.(C) For purposes of this paragraph, agricultural conservation easement means any easement as defined in Section 10211.
72+SEC. 2. Section 10230 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:10230. (a) The California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund is hereby created.(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the moneys in the fund shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, be used for the purposes of the program.(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), moneys may be deposited into the fund from federal grants, and gifts and donations, including interest earned, that are designated and required by the donor to be used exclusively for the purposes of the program, and notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, those moneys are hereby continuously appropriated to the department for expenditure for the purposes of the program.(3) (A) The Controller shall transfer the sum of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) on July 1 of each fiscal year, commencing with the 202526 fiscal year, from the General Fund to the California Farmland Conservancy Program Funding Account, which is hereby created within the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code and paragraph (1), moneys in the account are hereby continuously appropriated without regard to fiscal year to the department for expenditure for the purposes as described in this paragraph and consistent with this division.(B)The department shall allocate the moneys appropriated pursuant to subparagraph (A) to entities that meet at least two of the following criteria:(i)The entity is a city or city and county that has a population of at least 250,000, a county that has a population of at least 1,500,000, or a special district, land trust, nonprofit organization, or tribe that is within, or has a jurisdictional overlap with, such a city or county.(ii)The entity is a city or county that has developed an agricultural land component of the citys or countys open-space element or a separate agricultural land element pursuant to Section 65565 of the Government Code, or is a special district, land trust, nonprofit organization, or tribe that is within, or has a jurisdictional overlap with, such a city or county.(iii)The entity is a county that has at least three hundred fifty million dollars ($350,000,000) in gross value of agricultural production, or is a city, special district, land trust, nonprofit organization, or tribe that is within, or has a jurisdictional overlap with, such a county.(iv)The entity intends to use the moneys to acquire a conservation easement that results in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands that are determined by the Department of Fish and Wildlife to be irreplaceable and essential corridors for wildlife.(v)The entity intends to use the moneys to acquire a conservation easement that results in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands that achieve any of the following cobenefits:(I)Support of the establishment, restoration, or enhancement of wildlife crossings, including overpasses, underpasses, and corridors, to ensure connectivity for wildlife while preserving agricultural operations.(II)Inclusion of practices that enhance carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change impacts.(III)Integration of water conservation systems, including advanced irrigation methods, rainwater harvesting, or constructed wetlands for water reuse and storage.(C)The department may, in its discretion, first allocate the moneys to entities that meet three or more of the criteria described in subparagraph (B).(D)An entity that is allocated moneys pursuant to this paragraph shall use the moneys solely to acquire a conservation easement that results in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands.(c) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1)Agricultural land means land that is flat and produces crops.(2)Tribe means an entity described in subdivision (c) of Section 815.3 of the Civil Code.(B) This funding shall only be awarded for agricultural conservation easements on agricultural land as defined in Section 10213, except for grazing land.(C) For purposes of this paragraph, agricultural conservation easement means any easement as defined in Section 10211.
7473
7574 SEC. 2. Section 10230 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:
7675
7776 ### SEC. 2.
7877
79-10230. (a) The California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund is hereby created.(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the moneys in the fund shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, be used for the purposes of the program.(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), moneys may be deposited into the fund from federal grants, and gifts and donations, including interest earned, that are designated and required by the donor to be used exclusively for the purposes of the program, and notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, those moneys are hereby continuously appropriated to the department for expenditure for the purposes of the program.(3) (A) The Controller shall transfer the sum of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) on July 1 of each fiscal year, commencing with the 202526 fiscal year, from the General Fund to the California Farmland Conservancy Program Funding Account, which is hereby created within the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code and paragraph (1), moneys in the account are hereby continuously appropriated without regard to fiscal year to the department for expenditure as described in this paragraph and consistent with this division.(B) This funding shall only be awarded for agricultural conservation easements on agricultural land as defined in Section 10213, except for grazing land.(C) For purposes of this paragraph, agricultural conservation easement means any easement as defined in Section 10211.
78+10230. (a) The California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund is hereby created.(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the moneys in the fund shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, be used for the purposes of the program.(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), moneys may be deposited into the fund from federal grants, and gifts and donations, including interest earned, that are designated and required by the donor to be used exclusively for the purposes of the program, and notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, those moneys are hereby continuously appropriated to the department for expenditure for the purposes of the program.(3) (A) The Controller shall transfer the sum of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) on July 1 of each fiscal year, commencing with the 202526 fiscal year, from the General Fund to the California Farmland Conservancy Program Funding Account, which is hereby created within the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code and paragraph (1), moneys in the account are hereby continuously appropriated without regard to fiscal year to the department for expenditure for the purposes as described in this paragraph and consistent with this division.(B)The department shall allocate the moneys appropriated pursuant to subparagraph (A) to entities that meet at least two of the following criteria:(i)The entity is a city or city and county that has a population of at least 250,000, a county that has a population of at least 1,500,000, or a special district, land trust, nonprofit organization, or tribe that is within, or has a jurisdictional overlap with, such a city or county.(ii)The entity is a city or county that has developed an agricultural land component of the citys or countys open-space element or a separate agricultural land element pursuant to Section 65565 of the Government Code, or is a special district, land trust, nonprofit organization, or tribe that is within, or has a jurisdictional overlap with, such a city or county.(iii)The entity is a county that has at least three hundred fifty million dollars ($350,000,000) in gross value of agricultural production, or is a city, special district, land trust, nonprofit organization, or tribe that is within, or has a jurisdictional overlap with, such a county.(iv)The entity intends to use the moneys to acquire a conservation easement that results in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands that are determined by the Department of Fish and Wildlife to be irreplaceable and essential corridors for wildlife.(v)The entity intends to use the moneys to acquire a conservation easement that results in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands that achieve any of the following cobenefits:(I)Support of the establishment, restoration, or enhancement of wildlife crossings, including overpasses, underpasses, and corridors, to ensure connectivity for wildlife while preserving agricultural operations.(II)Inclusion of practices that enhance carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change impacts.(III)Integration of water conservation systems, including advanced irrigation methods, rainwater harvesting, or constructed wetlands for water reuse and storage.(C)The department may, in its discretion, first allocate the moneys to entities that meet three or more of the criteria described in subparagraph (B).(D)An entity that is allocated moneys pursuant to this paragraph shall use the moneys solely to acquire a conservation easement that results in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands.(c) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1)Agricultural land means land that is flat and produces crops.(2)Tribe means an entity described in subdivision (c) of Section 815.3 of the Civil Code.(B) This funding shall only be awarded for agricultural conservation easements on agricultural land as defined in Section 10213, except for grazing land.(C) For purposes of this paragraph, agricultural conservation easement means any easement as defined in Section 10211.
8079
81-10230. (a) The California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund is hereby created.(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the moneys in the fund shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, be used for the purposes of the program.(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), moneys may be deposited into the fund from federal grants, and gifts and donations, including interest earned, that are designated and required by the donor to be used exclusively for the purposes of the program, and notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, those moneys are hereby continuously appropriated to the department for expenditure for the purposes of the program.(3) (A) The Controller shall transfer the sum of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) on July 1 of each fiscal year, commencing with the 202526 fiscal year, from the General Fund to the California Farmland Conservancy Program Funding Account, which is hereby created within the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code and paragraph (1), moneys in the account are hereby continuously appropriated without regard to fiscal year to the department for expenditure as described in this paragraph and consistent with this division.(B) This funding shall only be awarded for agricultural conservation easements on agricultural land as defined in Section 10213, except for grazing land.(C) For purposes of this paragraph, agricultural conservation easement means any easement as defined in Section 10211.
80+10230. (a) The California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund is hereby created.(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the moneys in the fund shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, be used for the purposes of the program.(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), moneys may be deposited into the fund from federal grants, and gifts and donations, including interest earned, that are designated and required by the donor to be used exclusively for the purposes of the program, and notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, those moneys are hereby continuously appropriated to the department for expenditure for the purposes of the program.(3) (A) The Controller shall transfer the sum of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) on July 1 of each fiscal year, commencing with the 202526 fiscal year, from the General Fund to the California Farmland Conservancy Program Funding Account, which is hereby created within the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code and paragraph (1), moneys in the account are hereby continuously appropriated without regard to fiscal year to the department for expenditure for the purposes as described in this paragraph and consistent with this division.(B)The department shall allocate the moneys appropriated pursuant to subparagraph (A) to entities that meet at least two of the following criteria:(i)The entity is a city or city and county that has a population of at least 250,000, a county that has a population of at least 1,500,000, or a special district, land trust, nonprofit organization, or tribe that is within, or has a jurisdictional overlap with, such a city or county.(ii)The entity is a city or county that has developed an agricultural land component of the citys or countys open-space element or a separate agricultural land element pursuant to Section 65565 of the Government Code, or is a special district, land trust, nonprofit organization, or tribe that is within, or has a jurisdictional overlap with, such a city or county.(iii)The entity is a county that has at least three hundred fifty million dollars ($350,000,000) in gross value of agricultural production, or is a city, special district, land trust, nonprofit organization, or tribe that is within, or has a jurisdictional overlap with, such a county.(iv)The entity intends to use the moneys to acquire a conservation easement that results in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands that are determined by the Department of Fish and Wildlife to be irreplaceable and essential corridors for wildlife.(v)The entity intends to use the moneys to acquire a conservation easement that results in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands that achieve any of the following cobenefits:(I)Support of the establishment, restoration, or enhancement of wildlife crossings, including overpasses, underpasses, and corridors, to ensure connectivity for wildlife while preserving agricultural operations.(II)Inclusion of practices that enhance carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change impacts.(III)Integration of water conservation systems, including advanced irrigation methods, rainwater harvesting, or constructed wetlands for water reuse and storage.(C)The department may, in its discretion, first allocate the moneys to entities that meet three or more of the criteria described in subparagraph (B).(D)An entity that is allocated moneys pursuant to this paragraph shall use the moneys solely to acquire a conservation easement that results in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands.(c) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1)Agricultural land means land that is flat and produces crops.(2)Tribe means an entity described in subdivision (c) of Section 815.3 of the Civil Code.(B) This funding shall only be awarded for agricultural conservation easements on agricultural land as defined in Section 10213, except for grazing land.(C) For purposes of this paragraph, agricultural conservation easement means any easement as defined in Section 10211.
8281
83-10230. (a) The California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund is hereby created.(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the moneys in the fund shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, be used for the purposes of the program.(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), moneys may be deposited into the fund from federal grants, and gifts and donations, including interest earned, that are designated and required by the donor to be used exclusively for the purposes of the program, and notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, those moneys are hereby continuously appropriated to the department for expenditure for the purposes of the program.(3) (A) The Controller shall transfer the sum of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) on July 1 of each fiscal year, commencing with the 202526 fiscal year, from the General Fund to the California Farmland Conservancy Program Funding Account, which is hereby created within the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code and paragraph (1), moneys in the account are hereby continuously appropriated without regard to fiscal year to the department for expenditure as described in this paragraph and consistent with this division.(B) This funding shall only be awarded for agricultural conservation easements on agricultural land as defined in Section 10213, except for grazing land.(C) For purposes of this paragraph, agricultural conservation easement means any easement as defined in Section 10211.
82+10230. (a) The California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund is hereby created.(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the moneys in the fund shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, be used for the purposes of the program.(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), moneys may be deposited into the fund from federal grants, and gifts and donations, including interest earned, that are designated and required by the donor to be used exclusively for the purposes of the program, and notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, those moneys are hereby continuously appropriated to the department for expenditure for the purposes of the program.(3) (A) The Controller shall transfer the sum of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) on July 1 of each fiscal year, commencing with the 202526 fiscal year, from the General Fund to the California Farmland Conservancy Program Funding Account, which is hereby created within the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code and paragraph (1), moneys in the account are hereby continuously appropriated without regard to fiscal year to the department for expenditure for the purposes as described in this paragraph and consistent with this division.(B)The department shall allocate the moneys appropriated pursuant to subparagraph (A) to entities that meet at least two of the following criteria:(i)The entity is a city or city and county that has a population of at least 250,000, a county that has a population of at least 1,500,000, or a special district, land trust, nonprofit organization, or tribe that is within, or has a jurisdictional overlap with, such a city or county.(ii)The entity is a city or county that has developed an agricultural land component of the citys or countys open-space element or a separate agricultural land element pursuant to Section 65565 of the Government Code, or is a special district, land trust, nonprofit organization, or tribe that is within, or has a jurisdictional overlap with, such a city or county.(iii)The entity is a county that has at least three hundred fifty million dollars ($350,000,000) in gross value of agricultural production, or is a city, special district, land trust, nonprofit organization, or tribe that is within, or has a jurisdictional overlap with, such a county.(iv)The entity intends to use the moneys to acquire a conservation easement that results in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands that are determined by the Department of Fish and Wildlife to be irreplaceable and essential corridors for wildlife.(v)The entity intends to use the moneys to acquire a conservation easement that results in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands that achieve any of the following cobenefits:(I)Support of the establishment, restoration, or enhancement of wildlife crossings, including overpasses, underpasses, and corridors, to ensure connectivity for wildlife while preserving agricultural operations.(II)Inclusion of practices that enhance carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change impacts.(III)Integration of water conservation systems, including advanced irrigation methods, rainwater harvesting, or constructed wetlands for water reuse and storage.(C)The department may, in its discretion, first allocate the moneys to entities that meet three or more of the criteria described in subparagraph (B).(D)An entity that is allocated moneys pursuant to this paragraph shall use the moneys solely to acquire a conservation easement that results in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands.(c) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1)Agricultural land means land that is flat and produces crops.(2)Tribe means an entity described in subdivision (c) of Section 815.3 of the Civil Code.(B) This funding shall only be awarded for agricultural conservation easements on agricultural land as defined in Section 10213, except for grazing land.(C) For purposes of this paragraph, agricultural conservation easement means any easement as defined in Section 10211.
8483
8584
8685
8786 10230. (a) The California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund is hereby created.
8887
8988 (b) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the moneys in the fund shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, be used for the purposes of the program.
9089
9190 (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), moneys may be deposited into the fund from federal grants, and gifts and donations, including interest earned, that are designated and required by the donor to be used exclusively for the purposes of the program, and notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, those moneys are hereby continuously appropriated to the department for expenditure for the purposes of the program.
9291
93-(3) (A) The Controller shall transfer the sum of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) on July 1 of each fiscal year, commencing with the 202526 fiscal year, from the General Fund to the California Farmland Conservancy Program Funding Account, which is hereby created within the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code and paragraph (1), moneys in the account are hereby continuously appropriated without regard to fiscal year to the department for expenditure as described in this paragraph and consistent with this division.
92+(3) (A) The Controller shall transfer the sum of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) on July 1 of each fiscal year, commencing with the 202526 fiscal year, from the General Fund to the California Farmland Conservancy Program Funding Account, which is hereby created within the California Farmland Conservancy Program Fund. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code and paragraph (1), moneys in the account are hereby continuously appropriated without regard to fiscal year to the department for expenditure for the purposes as described in this paragraph and consistent with this division.
93+
94+(B)The department shall allocate the moneys appropriated pursuant to subparagraph (A) to entities that meet at least two of the following criteria:
95+
96+
97+
98+(i)The entity is a city or city and county that has a population of at least 250,000, a county that has a population of at least 1,500,000, or a special district, land trust, nonprofit organization, or tribe that is within, or has a jurisdictional overlap with, such a city or county.
99+
100+
101+
102+(ii)The entity is a city or county that has developed an agricultural land component of the citys or countys open-space element or a separate agricultural land element pursuant to Section 65565 of the Government Code, or is a special district, land trust, nonprofit organization, or tribe that is within, or has a jurisdictional overlap with, such a city or county.
103+
104+
105+
106+(iii)The entity is a county that has at least three hundred fifty million dollars ($350,000,000) in gross value of agricultural production, or is a city, special district, land trust, nonprofit organization, or tribe that is within, or has a jurisdictional overlap with, such a county.
107+
108+
109+
110+(iv)The entity intends to use the moneys to acquire a conservation easement that results in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands that are determined by the Department of Fish and Wildlife to be irreplaceable and essential corridors for wildlife.
111+
112+
113+
114+(v)The entity intends to use the moneys to acquire a conservation easement that results in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands that achieve any of the following cobenefits:
115+
116+
117+
118+(I)Support of the establishment, restoration, or enhancement of wildlife crossings, including overpasses, underpasses, and corridors, to ensure connectivity for wildlife while preserving agricultural operations.
119+
120+
121+
122+(II)Inclusion of practices that enhance carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change impacts.
123+
124+
125+
126+(III)Integration of water conservation systems, including advanced irrigation methods, rainwater harvesting, or constructed wetlands for water reuse and storage.
127+
128+
129+
130+(C)The department may, in its discretion, first allocate the moneys to entities that meet three or more of the criteria described in subparagraph (B).
131+
132+
133+
134+(D)An entity that is allocated moneys pursuant to this paragraph shall use the moneys solely to acquire a conservation easement that results in the permanent preservation of agricultural lands.
135+
136+
137+
138+(c) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
139+
140+
141+
142+(1)Agricultural land means land that is flat and produces crops.
143+
144+
145+
146+(2)Tribe means an entity described in subdivision (c) of Section 815.3 of the Civil Code.
147+
148+
94149
95150 (B) This funding shall only be awarded for agricultural conservation easements on agricultural land as defined in Section 10213, except for grazing land.
96151
97152 (C) For purposes of this paragraph, agricultural conservation easement means any easement as defined in Section 10211.